Renewable Energy
“Our thorough simulation and testing techniques allow us to fine tune the equipment to fit our customer’s needs.”
John Smith. Managing Director, Ekato.
Fig. 4. EKATO’s side entry agitators offer a more cost effective mixing solution to traditional top entry agitators.
and CFD techniques, EKATO defined the optimum agitator quantity, position and shaft angle to the vessel wall to suit the geometry of each vessel. Finally, the mixing requirements for the full scale plant were calculated, using the company’s R&D findings, and with a further CFD study of the plant scale, EKATO can accurately predict and guarantee the results for Vivergo Fuels’ new fermenters. “Our R&D process is integral to how we build solutions for our customers,” explains John Smith, Managing Director, EKATO. “Our thorough simulation and testing techniques allow us to fine tune the equipment to fit our customers’ needs. Each agitator is designed on the basis of the mixing task in hand: for blending, the viscosity ratio is the determining factor, together with the settling behaviour of the grains, which is influenced by fluid density, grain size, moisture content and settling velocity. Our comprehensive approach allows us to provide accurate and efficient equipment with minimal investment.” l
For further information, visit
www.ekato.com
Scientists propose a smarter low carbon future
decarbonisation of the UK energy system. Using more electricity to heat buildings
A
and power cars increases our dependence on the electricity system to unprecedented levels. The report explores a range of possible ‘criticalities’ likely to arise as a result, which in turn, risk undermining the Government’s ability to meet stringent 80 per cent cuts in CO2
new academic report highlights critical challenges in the current ‘all-electric’ approach to
2050. Most scenarios for a 2050 energy system – including those used to develop the UK Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan – anticipate that electricity will increasingly be used to meet energy needs for transport and heating. The report outlines that such a transition
could result in a doubling of peak electricity demand. Realising this ‘all-electric’ scenario is in turn dependent on a number of critical outcomes, all which must be met to achieve carbon abatement targets. These include: investment in new, low-
emissions by 2050. The report, by leading energy scientists at
Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, also outlines a more integrated approach to energy supply. It proposes that ‘waste’ heat from power generation could meet a significant share of our demand for energy, providing a more efficient, flexible and resilient energy system. Starting to develop this system today
could reduce the anticipated stresses on the electricity system. To this end, heat storage can be used to help manage the intermittent output of some renewables and reduce growth in peak demand that has potential to place real strain on the electricity system in
carbon power stations at unprecedented growth rates; expansion of electricity network capacity to meet higher system peak demand; insulation to a very high standard of much of the UK building stock, and significant change in consumer behaviour The report finds that any route to a low
carbon future brings major challenges. A system that makes greater use of combined heat and power (CHP) and district heating (DH) can however mitigate many of the more demanding aspects of the ‘all-electric’ approach. Used in combination with biomass and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for fossil fuels, CHP and DH infrastructure have a key role to play up to 2050 and beyond. The integrated approach proposed in
the report, assumes an energy system where
CHP and DH, used in combination with a decarbonised electricity grid, delivering the following benefits (as compared to a leading ‘all-electric’ scenario). The integrated scenario therefore offers
energy savings and other benefits, helping improve prospects for meeting our targets. Findings however illustrate the need for government to adopt a broader focus in policy formulation around decarbonisation. These, and other highlights of the report, promise to spark debate on the direction and focus of current policy. The Government is expected to publish its own work on a roadmap to 2050 in the coming weeks. The report was commissioned by the
Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA). The CHPA has already shared many of the report findings with Government. Going forward, it looks to build on the work completed to date, helping to develop a rational and comprehensive response to the energy challenges the UK faces. Graham Meeks, Director of the CHPA
commented: “Diversity is the key to maintaining affordability and security of our energy supplies as we transition to a low-carbon economy. The report highlights the enormous risks we face in focusing on electricity to meet our demands for energy services." l
For more information, visit
www.chpa.co.uk www.engineerlive.com 35
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